Creating bespoke wedding stationery and other handcrafted loveliness

Tag: Collaboration

Here it goes, my attempt to provide you with regular content on the blog (self-five!) and as I mentioned before, there’s plenty that I want to share with you, so I will try to at least schedule a post every other Thursday. So, let’s start by going back to the beginning of summer…

As May came along, I drove up to the most beautiful Norfolk wedding venue, Hales Hall & The Great Barn, ready for a whopping 2 day styled photo shoot. Having gone to town on the stationery and knowing many of the other talented suppliers (including a bunch of my favourites!), I knew this was going to be an amazing shoot…all we needed was some better weather!

The brief wasn’t the norm for Frog & Pencil but I do love a challenge and more importantly, I embrace where these creative opportunities take my work. The shoot was the brain child of Amanda Steed, our talented Make Up Artist who transformed our gorgeous models. Her vision for these couple of days was to be natural, romantic, with a soft, nude & pinky pallet with fresh greenery and large blooms; you may be getting the sense that a stripped back Frog & Pencil design was needed.

I wanted to keep the stationery clean and by working around geometric shapes, it also offered a contemporary vibe (I’m loving all the geometric shapes that are everywhere right now, I certainly think this is a trend that’s going to stick around for 2018 weddings). I was also conscious that I wanted it to look like it was made by me, so without a quirky character or couple, this would have to shine through from the flowers. When I start a new project, I love to speak with the florist that’s involved to see what they may be using and I’ll incorporate some of those elements within my work to offer a lovely cohesion on the day. Here I’d like to introduce Kat from Ivy Floral Events. I found her awesome to work with because she’s so passionate and boy oh boy is this gal creative. Her brilliant van was packed with flowery goodness and it was so much fun watching her whip up a flower crown or a bouquet within a matter of minutes. We’re kinda spoilt in Norfolk for excellent florists and Kat is certainly one of them. Go check her out!

In the end, I created a whole collection for this shoot with the aim of being able to sell it to you lovely people. I’ll be turning it into a Semi-Bespoke Collection for couples and they can either choose from a few pieces or the whole lot. Keep an eye out on my Etsy shop for the launch of this new range. Pieces include:

Albeit windy (I now hate the wind…it doesn’t mix well with paper!), it was a gorgeous couple of days and we were able to create a couple of different looks to snap indoors and out. The models looked cracking, the dresses were beautiful, the styling was gorgeous, the cake was a beaut, the food was divine and Hales Hall offers a smorgasbord of locations to take photos. All geared up to be a cracker!

Before I unleash all the images, a little croak out to the other amazing suppliers I haven’t yet mentioned.

Oh how I love Janie & David from Bigphatphotos. These guys were the photographers and also a secondary creative driving force for the shoot. Such a pleasure to work with and I always learn something new. A firm Froggy favourite, so if you’re looking for a photographer for your big day, give these guys a bell.

Another Froggy pal, Lou from Lou Lou Loves Hire & Styling. This was the first time I’d worked on a shoot with Lou and it was great fun! She, like Kat, had a van load full of goodies (I’m getting van envy!) to spruce up the various locations. I’ve admitted before that I think styling is pretty hard, so I relish any chance to pick up some tips…I was even able to join in! What I really enjoyed from this was seeing how the little details echoed alongside my stationery, with the blooms and the geo lanterns, it really all came together beautifully. Lou is just lovely and very talented, so if you’re looking for someone to tart up your venue, she’s your gal! Not forgetting Grice & Foster who hired out a few pieces to us on the day to co-ordinate with the styling.

The queen of cakes was also with us and of course I’m talking about Emma from Buns of Fun Bakery. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Buns blows me away with her creations and styling. Uber creative and airs on the quirkier side, what’s not to love. This lady is one of my inspirations and her cakes are delicious to boot, so if you’re looking for sponges to wow your guests and delight your taste buds, then get in touch pronto.

A highlight from working on these shoots is being able to sample the food that’s created and it was such a treat to try dishes made by Lee Havers from 42 King Street. His food was so tasty and I can’t wait to book into his restaurant to try some more!

I mentioned Amanda above and working alongside her on the day was fellow Makeup Artist Kirsty Barton Grimley. Together they created natural, stunning looks so if you need someone to help you out on your big day, give them both a call.

The bridal dressed were provided by Serendipity Bridal & Pure Brides (love those gals!) and Willow & Pearl brought the lovely heather bridesmaid gowns. Each dress was so beautiful and worked perfectly with the styling. Check them all out if you’re hunting for that special dress.

Oh, and not forgetting the venue itself. Hales Hall and The Great Barn is breathtaking. With so many locations to choose from, you’re really spoilt for choice. The barn is magnificent, the endless grounds are breathtaking and the Hall is a stunner. There’s certainly something for everyone and with helpful and friendly staff, I’d certainly recommend a visit if you’re searching out your wedding venue.

Below are some of my favourites from the shoot credited to Bigphatphotos, enjoy!

…and a few behind the scenes snaps lifted from my phone.

I just want to say a huge thank you to Amanda & Janie for having me on board, I loved being involved and a part of the team! It was also fab to meet all the other suppliers and collaborate with you guys. Thanks for the fun!

I’m hoping to have the stationery collection live on my Etsy shop for October but if you’d like to chat about this range for your wedding day then drop me a message at hello@frogandpencil.com, I’d love to hear from you.

Things have been ticking along nicely over the past few weeks for Frog & Pencil and I’ve been working on a commission that I simply can’t share with you just yet…but soon it will be revealed!

Alongside that little nugget, I’ve been involved in my first collaboration project which I’m delighted to share with you all today.

My awesome Niece Niki is currently in her second year at NUA studying photography. This term they were asked to collaborate with a fellow photography student and one other person; so naturally I was rather chuffed when Niki and Sam asked me to hop on board. I don’t know if it was a part of their brief to work with someone outside of the University but hats off to them as this is valuable and relevant experience to working with other designers throughout the creative industry. Perhaps this should be considered for future briefs.

By creating a wedding themed shoot, Niki and Sam felt that this idea would compliment both their photography styles and this is also where my designs came into play. The original plan sounded beautiful being a boho woodland photo shoot with lots of warm festoon lighting, furniture, fabrics and my artwork hanging from branches. So gorgeous! Sadly, they were let down at the last minute and were unable to make it to Thetford Forest. I do feel for Niki & Sam as they had been planning this for months but these things happen in life and will certainly happen in the working world. Credit to the gals for thinking on their feet and finding a simpler and lovely solution in the studio.

I wasn’t able to make it to the shoot, though I would have loved to have popped my head in to see the set up. Thanks to Sam, she created a fab behind the scenes video which is ace and you can watch it in all it’s glory here…

I spent a fun morning with Niki, coffee & pastries editing her photographs and it was a great experience for me to see and be a part of the final process. Overall I think the images look great. I really like Sam’s compositions of the frames and flowers hanging from the bamboo at different heights. I particularly love Niki’s warm tonal quality she’s captured, I think it naturally compliments my work and the colours within my illustrations.

I’ll certainly be adding some of these photographs to my website gallery but in the meantime you can enjoy a select few here…

Prepping prints!

Ready for their close up!

Credit N.J Photography

Credit N.J Photography

Credit Samantha Cameron Photography

Credit N.J Photography

Credit Samantha Cameron Photography

Credit N.J Photography

Editing images with N.J Photography…with coffee & pastries of course!

I loved being a third collaborator on this project and I hope my designs gave them both enough to work with and they managed to snap what they needed.

I’d certainly recommend you give these guys a look and follow, so here’s my Croak Out to Niki & Sam…